The STEM Teacher Externships Program offers a unique opportunity for Iowa businesses to host STEM educators for six weeks during the summer, benefiting from their expertise and fresh perspectives. These externships provide value to both the organizations and the teachers, with most employers monetizing the projects completed by externs between $2,500 and $10,000.
Key benefits of hosting an extern include:
- Hosts build a partnership that will enhance workplace and future community workforce.
- Educated and skilled STEM teachers as contributors to your workplace’s needs.
- Publicity through the program’s promotion, officially recognizing your commitment to STEM education and local economic development.
- Teachers return to the classroom with real-world experience, preparing future generations for careers in STEM
Participants emphasize the importance of the externs’ contributions.
- According to Joy Bolar, Senior Research Manager at Corteva Agriscience, “Mostly it is about advocacy. Teachers can go back with the knowledge they have gained to train our next generation of problem solvers. Making them understand that they have a world-class facility in their neighborhood for future careers opportunities. This is priceless.”
- Similarly, Samantha Dahlby, Director of K-12 Education at NewBoCo, notes, “Outside perspectives are always appreciated, and some of these projects would not have happened or happened in as timely of a manner if we did not have an extern.”
- Lori Eberhard, Park Manager at George Wyth State Park, adds, “We are so thankful for having an extern at George Wyth. They have been able to take on some of the small projects that become big projects and get them completed. This is such a great program, and it is helping us get information into the schools with a direct connection which has been hard to do.”
For more information or to complete an interest form for the 2025 STEM Teacher Externships Program, visit educate.iowa.gov/STEM/Externships.
Are you a business or organization interested in hosting a teacher extern, or just want to know more about the teacher externship program? Click on the button below to complete a Workplace Host Interest Form.
